Gala raises more than $200,000 for Bard on the Beach

The Vancouver International Wine Festival Bacchanalia gala dinner and auction, attended by over 400 guests, raised over $229,000 benefitting charitable partner Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival. The gala, presented by Blakes, kicked off the 41st annual VIWF, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver with a spectacular evening of wine and food, topped by a thrilling live auction. Guests enjoyed a sparking wine reception with the opportunity to bid on silent auction items. Live auction items featured extremely rare wines, epicurean getaways and unique culinary experiences featuring chefs and sommeliers from the West Coast’s top restaurants. Master of Ceremonies was Chris Gailus, Global BC news anchor; and gala chair was Jana Maclagan. Following the reception, guests savoured nine spectacular wine paired with five inventive courses created by the Fairmont’s executive chef, Colin Burslem, taking guests on a culinary journey inspired by Pacific West Coast vineyards. The evening ended with an amazing dessert soufflé followed by dancing to the Adam Woodall Band.

Vancouver International Wine Festival is Canada’s premier wine show and marked its 41st edition of pairing wine, food and the performing arts from February 23 to March 3. The festival featured California wines and showcased 160 wineries from 15 countries (including 53 wineries from California) pouring about 1,450 wines at 54 events with a projected 25,000 admissions.

Celebrating its 30th season in 2019, Bard on the Beach is one of Canada's largest not-for-profit professional Shakespeare festivals. It is presented on the waterfront in Kitsilano’s Vanier Park, adjacent to Vancouver’s downtown core.